27 March 2006

Call to end SF use of 'Oglaigh' title

The Irish government has called on Sinn Fein to end its misuse of the title, Oglaigh na h-Eireann, after party teeshirts with the name were worn by some of the thugs who took part in the Love Ulster riots in the centre of Dublin.

The Republic's Defence Minister Willie O'Dea has written three letters to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams to point out that, by law, the Defence Forces is the only legitimate Army in this State and it alone can call itself Oglaigh na h-Eireann.

Mr Adams has acknowledged the letters but did not make a response while similar requests by the minister to the Sinn Fein leader in the Dail, Caoimhghin O Caolain have been ignored.

Last night, the minister described Mr Adams' silence as further evidence of the contempt he and Sinn Fein held for the Defence Forces.

The teeshirts are sold by Sinn Fein in their shops and through the internet.

Mr O'Dea said: "The Provisionals continue to use and abuse the title, Oglaigh na hEireann, to line their pockets and fund their political purposes.

"The legacy of 1916 is not a commodity for sale by anyone, least of all by the provisionals," he added.

The issue will be raised in the Dail this week by Fianna Fail's Dublin TD Charlie O'Connor.